Top Christmas Markets from Around the World

It’s that time of year again! With Christmas fast approaching, many people are thinking about starting their shopping. Across the world, a large number of Christmas markets offer a great selection of top-notch gift items from handcrafts to traditional local foods. Remember to download our mobile app to ensure you have an enjoyable stay whilst combining your shopping at one of the top Christmas markets in the world right here in our list.

1. New York, USA: Holiday Market at Columbus Circle

New York, a magical city at any time of the year, becomes even more captivating at Christmas. As well as carol singers and twinkling lights aplenty, the Big Apple also has a popular annual Holiday Market at Columbus Circle. Modelled after its hugely successful European counterparts, this colourful market is jam-packed with stalls offering a variety of Christmas gifts and holiday decorations from around the world.

3. Prague, Czech Republic: Vanocni trhy

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Taking place in a few different locations across the city, Prague’s famous Vanocni trhy or Christmas Markets offer up a plethora of Christmas treats. Wooden stalls present a unique selection of potential gifts, lots of the them handmade, including candles, jewellery and even puppets! The food here is special too, with a huge array of local specialities to be sampled while you soak up the festive atmosphere.

4. Budapest, Hungary: Budapest Christmas Fair

On the go for over 10 years, this is one of the most popular Christmas markets in Europe. Visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year, this central market plays host to a large variety of traditional wooden stalls. What’s great about the stalls here is that they sell handmade items, all of which have been vetted by the Association of Hungarian Folk Artists. Food is hugely important too, with strudel, traditional kürtös kalács and sausages all offered to tickle your tastebuds.

5. Sapporo, Japan: German Christmas Market

Initially established in 2002, the German Christmas Market was set up to celebrate the link between Sapporo and its sister city Munich. Throughout this popular event, a number of stalls sell a selection of gift items, decorations and foods. Mulled wine is the tipple of choice with visitors to the market, who sip it as they wander between stalls and check out the various Christmas-themed events also taking place.

6. Munich, Germany: Christkindlmarkt

This long-running Christmas market is one of Germany’s most well-loved Yuletide events. Sparkling at the heart of the city, the market’s focal point is a 30-metre high Christmas tree complete with 2,500 lights. The stalls themselves, of which there are over 160, offer a huge selection of handicrafts. Here you’ll be able to pick everything from delicious sweets to carefully crafted Christmas angels. While you stroll from stall to stall you can enjoy a cup of the traditional mulled wine.

7. Chicago, USA: Christkindlmarket Chicago

In the tradition of Germany’s popular Christmas markets, Christkindlmarket Chicago is now one of the city’s major events in the lead up to the holiday season. Crowds flock to this particular market to check out the large variety of foodstuffs on offer. From sauerkraut to sausages, it can all be washed down with a hot cup of traditional Glühwein. Other vendors, many of whom hail from Germany, offer up some great potential gifts including cuckoo clocks and beer steins.

8. Stockholm, Sweden: Stortorgets julmarknad

Held in Stockholm’s much-loved Old Town area, this Christmas market has been in operation since 1915. Around 40 stalls take part in the market, all of them selling Swedish products. As well as top-quality handcrafts, you’ll find a great choice of foodstuffs to sample as you peruse the stalls. Gingerbread and sweets keep the younger crowd happy, while the traditional glögg (mulled wine) will warm up the adults.

9. Dresden, Germany: Striezelmarkt

Dresden’s Christmas Market dates back to the 15th century and is traditionally known as Striezelmarkt. Here you will find a charming market oozing all things festive from local food specialities to hand crafted treasures. You can also watch the craft makers in action with carvers, bakers and glass-blowers making some of their produce at their stalls. The focal point of the Dresden Christmas Market is the world’s tallest Christmas pyramid along with the world’s biggest nutcracker.

10. London, England: Winter Wonderland

The German-style Christmas market is just one part of Hyde Park’s hugely successful Winter Wonderland. Around 40 wooden stalls make up the market and these offer handmade items, holiday decorations and lots more. At the food stalls, you can sample traditional treats like gingerbread and other German favourites such as Bratwurst. Once you’re done shopping and snacking, you can check out the big wheel, Europe’s largest outdoor ice rink and lots more.

Can't wait to begin your adventures with Hostelworld? Rememberto download our awesome app on Android and iOS to help make your travels easy

Related Posts:

It’s that time of year again! With Christmas fast approaching, many people are thinking about starting their shopping. Across the world, a large number of Christmas markets offer a great selection of top-notch gift items from handcrafts to traditional local foods. Remember to download our mobile app to ensure you have an enjoyable stay whilst combining your shopping at one of the top Christmas markets in the world right here in our list.

1. New York, USA: Holiday Market at Columbus Circle

New York, a magical city at any time of the year, becomes even more captivating at Christmas. As well as carol singers and twinkling lights aplenty, the Big Apple also has a popular annual Holiday Market at Columbus Circle. Modelled after its hugely successful European counterparts, this colourful market is jam-packed with stalls offering a variety of Christmas gifts and holiday decorations from around the world.

3. Prague, Czech Republic: Vanocni trhy

%%IMAGE3-LEFT%%

Taking place in a few different locations across the city, Prague’s famous Vanocni trhy or Christmas Markets offer up a plethora of Christmas treats. Wooden stalls present a unique selection of potential gifts, lots of the them handmade, including candles, jewellery and even puppets! The food here is special too, with a huge array of local specialities to be sampled while you soak up the festive atmosphere.

4. Budapest, Hungary: Budapest Christmas Fair

On the go for over 10 years, this is one of the most popular Christmas markets in Europe. Visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year, this central market plays host to a large variety of traditional wooden stalls. What’s great about the stalls here is that they sell handmade items, all of which have been vetted by the Association of Hungarian Folk Artists. Food is hugely important too, with strudel, traditional kürtös kalács and sausages all offered to tickle your tastebuds.

5. Sapporo, Japan: German Christmas Market

Initially established in 2002, the German Christmas Market was set up to celebrate the link between Sapporo and its sister city Munich. Throughout this popular event, a number of stalls sell a selection of gift items, decorations and foods. Mulled wine is the tipple of choice with visitors to the market, who sip it as they wander between stalls and check out the various Christmas-themed events also taking place.

6. Munich, Germany: Christkindlmarkt

This long-running Christmas market is one of Germany’s most well-loved Yuletide events. Sparkling at the heart of the city, the market’s focal point is a 30-metre high Christmas tree complete with 2,500 lights. The stalls themselves, of which there are over 160, offer a huge selection of handicrafts. Here you’ll be able to pick everything from delicious sweets to carefully crafted Christmas angels. While you stroll from stall to stall you can enjoy a cup of the traditional mulled wine.

7. Chicago, USA: Christkindlmarket Chicago

In the tradition of Germany’s popular Christmas markets, Christkindlmarket Chicago is now one of the city’s major events in the lead up to the holiday season. Crowds flock to this particular market to check out the large variety of foodstuffs on offer. From sauerkraut to sausages, it can all be washed down with a hot cup of traditional Glühwein. Other vendors, many of whom hail from Germany, offer up some great potential gifts including cuckoo clocks and beer steins.

8. Stockholm, Sweden: Stortorgets julmarknad

Held in Stockholm’s much-loved Old Town area, this Christmas market has been in operation since 1915. Around 40 stalls take part in the market, all of them selling Swedish products. As well as top-quality handcrafts, you’ll find a great choice of foodstuffs to sample as you peruse the stalls. Gingerbread and sweets keep the younger crowd happy, while the traditional glögg (mulled wine) will warm up the adults.

9. Dresden, Germany: Striezelmarkt

Dresden’s Christmas Market dates back to the 15th century and is traditionally known as Striezelmarkt. Here you will find a charming market oozing all things festive from local food specialities to hand crafted treasures. You can also watch the craft makers in action with carvers, bakers and glass-blowers making some of their produce at their stalls. The focal point of the Dresden Christmas Market is the world’s tallest Christmas pyramid along with the world’s biggest nutcracker.

10. London, England: Winter Wonderland

The German-style Christmas market is just one part of Hyde Park’s hugely successful Winter Wonderland. Around 40 wooden stalls make up the market and these offer handmade items, holiday decorations and lots more. At the food stalls, you can sample traditional treats like gingerbread and other German favourites such as Bratwurst. Once you’re done shopping and snacking, you can check out the big wheel, Europe’s largest outdoor ice rink and lots more.

Can't wait to begin your adventures with Hostelworld? Rememberto download our awesome app on Android and iOS to help make your travels easy

Related Posts:

41 Comments

Isabelle MERLET
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009, 11:02am

Hyde Park

Sara Yamamoto
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009, 12:08pm

London's German-style Christmas Market takes place in Hyde Park. If in Sydney go and see Carol's in Domain. A nite out for all and bring a blanket to sit on, we managed with a newpaper as we didnt know what to expect. The park is big and you can buy candles to lite up the nite.

Alicia
Saturday, November 28th, 2009, 11:27am

The Christmas Market in Brussels is quiet amazing, suited for kids and adults alike with toys, food, drinks, ice-skating rings, handicraft, concerts and and so much more. A large part of the city center is closed and becomes a real Wonderland.
From the 27/11 to 3/01
http://www.plaisirsdhiver.be/

Elaine Whalley
Saturday, November 28th, 2009, 7:22am

the german style christmass market will be at HYDE PARK IN LONDON

Dan Treasure
Friday, November 20th, 2009, 3:45pm

How could Hostel World miss out on the (famous) Edinburgh German Markets?!?!?!

Paul Southwick
Friday, November 13th, 2009, 4:09am

Much smaller but very nice and tradtional. If your in the Cincinnati Ohio area.
www.germaniasociety.com

hilton
Sunday, November 8th, 2009, 12:06pm

I went to the Prague Xmas markets 4 years ago, they were great, mulled wine and hot mead, lots of different things to eat, and sweet little stalls selling all manner of Christmas goodies. Also my Hostel was nearly empty as well (The Boathouse) which was a bonus as we got a 4 room to ourselves. Totally recommend it! Too bad we couldn't find cheap tickets this year, so instead we are going to try the Paris Markets. Being in Europe at this time of year is soo much fun. Marcelle you are right, there really is nothing like it back in Australia!

Marcelle
Thursday, November 5th, 2009, 11:17am

Cologne, Rothenburg...were enjoyable...must go back to Europe at Christmas again sometime...what a wonderful experience...nothing like it in Australia!

Tim
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009, 11:29pm

Lyon in France! Nearly the best Christmas Markets I have seen and it didn't get a mention.

Michael
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009, 10:05pm

The oldest (and one of the most beautiful) Christmas market(s) is missing: DRESDEN!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_market

Tim
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009, 9:19pm

Budapest market rocks. Two years ago there was that very Santa from Finland as well for a few days. Great food too!

Olga
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009, 8:47pm

Barcelona is a nice city, very complete (culture: Gaudi, Dalí, museums...., beach, different spectacles,...)
Visit it and enjoy it!

steffen
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009, 8:30pm

How about the Nürnberger Christkindl market , which would be the original! It is the most beautiful one! And just 1 and a half hours north of munich.
Enjoy the Christmas time fellows.
and not to foget the great christkindlmarket in Bethlehem, PA.

mirka pavelkova
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009, 7:50pm

Well Vienna is one of the most beautiful capitals and Christmas market just adds a magical athmosphere.There's one nice but bit smaller Christmas market in Bratislava as well and is worth to see it too.So have a nice Christmas everybody.

Jessica
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009, 2:58pm

I am also disapointed that 3 of the German Christmas markets listed are in the USA. Gimme a break! Yes I live in Canada and they would be cheaper to visit, but tell me about the real thing!!!

Paolo
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009, 1:35pm

What about Christmas Market in Manchester? I found it warm and full of any kind of food!

Gerard Rovira
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009, 4:32am

What about the Santa Llúcia market in Barcelona? Not to be missed at all!

Renee Holste
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, 8:42pm

The Germany Christmas Market in Birmingham, UK is fantastic and should also be on this site!

Haylie
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, 6:34pm

You really should visit one of the austrian Christkindlmärkte...
even if the one on the Rathausplatz is pretty nice, you should´nt miss the smaller ones which you can find everywhere in austria...
but my favourite one is in front of the castle Schönbrunn, absolut great atmospheare

colin herbert howell
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, 3:42pm

what about Lincoln (UK)? That surely should be worthy of a selection?

Cedric Van Dorpe
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, 12:01pm

Great Idea, you missed some very obvious ones though, such as Nürnberg, Germany and Brussels, Belgium. Both are highly recommended!

brigitte
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, 10:20am

if you go to Vienna and look for a more cosy and artistic xmas market, don't miss the Spittelberger Weihnachtsmarkt (at walking distance from Rathausplatz)!

Sara Kingston
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, 9:03am

Yes, the German markets are fabulous! very authentic feeling to it all... You forgot one though. The Market in Brussels Belgium is also fantastic!

sean mcmoran
Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 7:50pm

Colongne Xmas market...Fantastic brought back childhood memories of how christmas used to be...

STAN EDDINGTON
Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 4:46pm

I am going to be in Gdansk Poland dec 12-15 do they have xmas markets there, does anyone know?

Marc Harbourne
Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 4:16pm

The largest German Christmas Market outside of Germany or Austria will be held in Birmingham, UK from November 12th to December 23rd.

fiona
Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 1:03pm

You should have included NURNBURG - the original birthplace of Xmas markets.
Others would include: Strasbourg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Berlin.....

fiona
Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 1:03pm

You should have included NURNBURG - the original birthplace of Xmas markets.
Others would include: Strasbourg, Cologne, Frankfurt, Berlin.....

Zanetta
Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 9:46am

Christmas without christmas market??? It's no possible for me! I recomend Germany or Vienna because it is amazing!!! I like them most of all markets I have see.

Ceci~~~
Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 9:31am

i wish i can be any christmas market in europe this year^^

paulina
Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 6:21am

Visiting budapest or vienna for the christmas markets is not to be missed!!! Vienna also has a new years market that goes into new years eve with trinkets+delicious food/drink still available at rathusplatz

Jessica
Monday, November 2nd, 2009, 4:47am

I'm in Korea... Do they have any there? I feel like I'm going to miss out on Christmas this year!

Peter Levine
Sunday, November 1st, 2009, 9:31pm

Indeed, the "Top Christmas Markets from Around the World" with three in the USA! That means that the Christkindlmarket in Chicago is better than the Christkindlmarket in Nürnberg, Germany (not on the list)... No way! Etc., etc...

Lauren Incorvaia
Sunday, November 1st, 2009, 6:21pm

Edinburgh should be on here! Hogmany is huuuuuge

irinkaboom
Sunday, November 1st, 2009, 3:32pm

I've been at the german christmas markets, it was great! Drinking Gluhwein outdoors and chatting with friends in beautiful surroundings, ahh!)))

Julia , Poland
Sunday, November 1st, 2009, 11:20am

I was lucky to spend one year in Budapest and visiting a Christmas market there is a great experience. It's definitely a must-be-place for everybody travelling in Eastern Europe in this time of the year.

Ingrid Österlin
Sunday, November 1st, 2009, 7:47am

You can support your shoppingmania pleasing the market all over the world or test yourself by visiting the prettty decorated christmas markets enjoy the beatiful smell and spirit but by nothing nothing nothing I promise this is surely a gooooood feeling

Pennie Carson
Saturday, October 31st, 2009, 3:30pm

U have forgotten the best one... in the big amusementpark in Gothenburg. Millions of fairylights in the dark swedish night!

Barulaganye Hulela
Saturday, October 31st, 2009, 1:38pm

Good site,iam informed and i would plan early about Christmas trips.

Peter Lindholm
Saturday, October 31st, 2009, 11:18am

Liseberg, the biggest theme park in Scandinavia in Gothenburg have also a christmas market. A few rides are open, between november 13th and december 23 rd. They also have Christmas Sing along and skating shows, read more here:http://www.liseberg.com/en/home/